A
computer training program promised a new future for students who completed
its course and obtained certification. Students paid or borrowed thousands
in tuition, but then found that classes were postponed, teachers were
not prepared, and equipment was out of date. Then the school closed and
students found out it was not licensed, so they had no way to get their
money back.

A cosmetology
student was told that she would have to make up 50 hours of missed class
time in order to qualify for her licensing exam. She had to pay several
hundred dollars extra. The charges were explained in her enrollment contract,
but she had not read it and compared charges with other cosmetology schools
before she enrolled.

If you are
considering enrolling in a career school, also known as a trade or vocational
school, choose carefully. While some of these schools can prepare you
for a new career, others will just put you in debt.

In some cases,
career schools promise they'll train and find jobs for all students who
enroll. They help students secure federal education loans to cover tuition.
The schools then provide worthless training and fail to find the student
a job. But the student still must repay the loan.

What to
Look for

Before you
choose a school, take the time to research your options. You will be spending
hundreds to thousands of dollars, so making sure that the school you choose
will give you the training you need will be time well spent.

First, talk
to people employed in the field you're interested in and find out what
type of training you need and what type of equipment you should be trained
on. Ask how long a program should be to cover the material fully. For
example, some schools now offer computer certification courses that are
as short as five days. For many people, a five-day training course will
not prepare them to pass a certification exam or qualify for employment.
Ask someone in the field what they think.

Then, evaluate
schools by finding out the following items. If a school is unwilling or
claims it is unable to provide the information, it may be a scam.

1. Has the
school and the program you are interested in been licensed to operate
by the Maryland Higher Education Commission? You can call the Commission
at (410) 260-4500 for the list of all approved private
career schools in Maryland, or visit the Commission's website at www.mhec.state.md.us.
Choosing an approved school may give you some recourse if you need to
have your money refunded.

2. How long
has the school been in business? What percentage of students complete
the program? Although the school might require an entrance exam, don't
assume all students are qualified or that the school is selective. These
schools are profit-making businesses.

3. What is
the school's placement record? What is the licensure/certification rate
for its graduates? Don't believe claims that 100 percent of its students
are placed in jobs. Ask for names of companies with which the school has
placed graduates. Call those companies to confirm the hirings and to see
what they think of the training those students received. The Maryland
Higher Education Commission keeps information on placement and licensure
rates as reported by each licensed school. Also, find out if the school
offers placement assistance. Many schools do.

4. Talk to
current students and past graduates (ask the school for names).Contact
them outside of the school so you can have a confidential conversation
about their opinion of the school.

5. Ask to
observe classes and instructors. How large are the classes? Are they taught
by people with recent work experience?

6. Is the
school's equipment the type that is used in the industry? Will you have
access to equipment during and after classes?

7. How much
does the program cost? Get a schedule of the program costs, which will
include the tuition, fees, and charges for books, supplies, special equipment,
and any extras.

8. Ask about
financial aid. Find out if scholarships or deferred payment plans are
available, if students are eligible for federal student grants or loans,
and if the school is approved for veterans educational benefits.

9. Ask about
the school's refund policy. By law, private career schools in Maryland
must refund tuition to students on a pro-rated basis. The later you withdraw,
the less money you get back. If you withdraw after the half-way point,
the school doesn't have to refund any of your money.

Take Your
Time Before Enrolling

Don't sign
anything on your first visit. And don't make a hasty decision because
someone tells you there is limited space in the next class - this is a
common sales ploy. Even if it's true, you'd be better off researching
the school and waiting for the next class than paying for the last seat
in a class where you won't learn any real skills.

Review the
enrollment contract carefully before signing. It is a legally binding
contract. Ask someone whose advice you trust to review it with you. Make
sure the contract specifically explains how much the program will cost,
how long it will last, and what the school's refund policy is. Get a receipt
for all payments and keep a copy of the contract and any other application
or enrollment documents. Keep copies of all promissory notes, loan documents,
and financing agreements.

If you have
selected your school carefully, you should receive the training you paid
for. If you do have a dispute with a school, the Maryland Higher Education
Commission will take complaints after you have attempted to resolve the
problem. If the school has been accredited, you may also make a complaint
to the accrediting organization.